Family Filmgoer

"WALL-E" (G, 98 min.; with "Presto," G, 5 min.) This computer-animated feature from Pixar breaks brilliant new ground. However, the mild existential dread inherent in its central idea - a desolate, trash-covered Earth abandoned by all but robots - and the way the narrative meanders in the middle could mean trouble for younger audiences. Recommended for kids 6 and older because it is funny and exciting, but that comes with the caveat that some may fidget at times. Scary bits include roaring dust storms, explosive lasers, and fiery spaceship landings.

"Bottle Shock" (PG-13, 110 min.) Based on a true story, this amiable if arch ode to California wines is a dry, witty tale, with just a hint of sweetness - a saga of New World grit overcoming Old World snobbery. "Bottle Shock," which involves a college-age hippie who eventually finds his calling, might engage some high schoolers. Midrange profanity, brief pot-smoking and a nongraphic sexual situation.

"Man on Wire" (PG-13, 90 min.) This documentary could transfix teens while showing them the rewards and sacrifices of following one's bliss. Philippe Petit, who had tightrope-walked between the towers of Notre Dame and the spans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, took on his greatest challenge on Aug. 7, 1974 - wire walking between the tops of the new World Trade Center towers. Director James Marsh includes present-day interviews with Petit and his one-time cohorts, reenactments showing how they smuggled equipment to the unoccupied top floors, hid from security guards, and spent all night rigging the cable. The film includes smoking, talk of marijuana, back-view nudity, and a nonexplicit dramatization of a sexual situation.

"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (PG-13, 113 min.) Teens who like action-fantasy flicks may get a charge out of this second sequel, even though the movie is a tedious, incoherent jumble of explosions, chases, gunplay, swordfights, fistfights, and dreadful dialogue. Everything leads to a climactic battle between the protagonists and a digital army of reanimated ancient Chinese Terracotta Warriors and their evil Emperor Han (Jet Li). The skeletal remains of the emperor's victims, who were tossed under the Great Wall as it was built, come back, too. As did its predecessors, this movie borrows shamelessly from other better films. Indiana Jones should sue. There are implied impalings and an implied off-screen beheading, but little if any blood in the action scenes. The film contains mild sexual innuendo and little profanity. Characters drink. And there is a yak that gets airsick.

"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" (PG-13, 111 min.) The four brainy gal pals in this sequel have separate summer adventures after they start college and find it tough to keep their friendship on track. The sharing via airmail of those magical one-size-fits-all jeans doesn't keep them as close as it did before. Drawn from the novels by Ann Brashares, the movie is predictable and sentimental, especially in its corny finale, but often smart and witty, too. Teen girls ought to like the way the heroines pursue challenging careers and let romance happen. Somewhat sophisticated fare that may be too mature for some middle schoolers. There is a muted but strongly implied sexual situation and semi-candid talk about a torn condom, plus a comical scene of implied nonsexual nudity (a male artist's model).

"Swing Vote" (PG-13, 119 min.)There are a couple of phony tear-soaked moments in "Swing Vote" that make you wonder what director/screenwriter Joshua Michael Stern and his coauthor Jason Richman were thinking. Yet despite the miscues, this is a breezy little comedy with a refreshing satiric edge. The movie is profane for a PG-13, with a few mild ethnic slurs, and its main character is a booze hound. Then again, the story is about becoming a better person and a good citizen.

Jane Horwitz, Washington Post Writers Group.